Advantages Cost Effectiveness Small Staff Same Mailing Cost for 1 Question as it Costs for 100 Easily Target Population of Interest Studies Show That More Answers Are Provided Disadvantages Lower Response Rates Need to Have Good Planning Need Complete Mailing List No Opportunity for Follow-up Need Questions that are Simple and Short Legible/Easy to Follow Correct Language Can Respondent Read? Mail Survey(Self-Reported Data) • Design and Format Crucial • Future--CSAQ

Advantages High Response Rates Are Possible Survey Questions Can be More Complex Opportunity for Follow-Up Questions Can Assist Respondents Who are Disabled, Aged or Other Problem Disadvantages Costly Need a Large Staff or Contract Personnel Natural Disaster Lose Portion of Sample May Not Get Person Most Capable of Answering the Questions Sample May Be in Restricted area Personal Interview(Face-to-Face)

Personal InterviewExample-1997 RECS • Data Collection Results • Average Time: 29 Minutes • Interviewers Conducted an Average of 27 Interviews • Median Number of Visits--3 • 20% of the Interviews Were Were Verified by Mail or Telephone • Used Multicontact Approach • Different Time of Day • Used Multiwave Approach • Changed Interviewer • Mail Follow-Ups for Nonresponsive Households • Short Self-Administered Questionnaire • Sent Pen as an Incentive

Multiple Modes of Data CollectionExample: 1993 RECS • Telephone Survey • Rental Agent Survey • Verify Information Received From Certain Households Who Did not Pay for All Their Energy or Paid A Third Party and Rented or Owned Living Quarters in A Multi-Unit Building

Survey Supplement Using A Subsample • Obtain Detailed Data • Use if Too Costly for the Full Sample • Use if Response Burden is a Concern • Use Data to Develop a Model Based on Data Available From the Full Survey

Survey Supplement Using A SubsampleExample: 1993 RECS Lighting Supplement • Purpose of the Supplement • Collect Data to Develop a Model to Predict Electricity Consumption for Lighting • Proportional Sample of All U.S. Households • 7% of the Completed Interviews • Lighting Model Used in Electricity Regression Equation Along Other End-Use Models, e.g. Space Heating.

Nonsampling ErrorUnitNonresponse Error Unit Nonresponse Error: Unit nonresponse error occurs when a sampling unit does not participate in the survey , e.g. household, building or establishment. • Unit Nonresponse • Refusal/Failure to Return Questionnaire • Sensitive Information • Incorrect Address • Not Have Resources or Time To Reply • Not Interested • Not Like the Sponsor • Could Not Be Located • Natural Disaster • Recently Vacant/Destroyed • Telephone Disconnected